Hydronephrosis

Skilled Kidney Care for Kids

When urine is blocked and can’t drain from the bladder to the kidneys, one or both kidneys can swell. This condition, called “hydronephrosis,” can cause infection or kidney damage. A baby may be born with hydronephrosis, but it can happen at any age. It usually goes away on its own. But if your child needs more advanced treatment, our highly experienced team at Nemours can care for even the most complex cases.

Services We Offer to Treat Hydronephrosis

Pediatric urologists at Nemours treat children of all ages with hydronephrosis. Our teams develop a care plan that’s just right for your child’s condition. Our care, which may vary depending on the location and which doctor your child sees, may include:

advanced diagnostics to tell us how the bladder and kidney are functioning, including voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) (X-ray imaging of the bladder using contrast dye inserted through a tiny tube when the bladder is full to examine it as it empties) or a kidney scan (imaging using a small amount of radioactive material inserted into a vein)

close monitoring, including advanced ultrasounds before and after birth

antibiotics to prevent or treat infection

surgery to repair severe cases of urinary tract blockage, including minimally invasive techniques that use small cuts for faster healing, less pain and scarring, and fewer risks

Why Choose Us

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric urologists understand the unique needs of children with hydronephrosis. And your child’s health and comfort are our top priorities. When you come to Nemours, you can expect recognized expertise and excellence. That’s because taking care of kids isn’t part of what we do. It’s all we do. Our teams help make care less stressful for children and families.

perinatal services with our Nemours Partners for Perinatal Management program, working with expectant parents and their doctors to diagnose conditions like hydronephrosis while your baby is still in the womb and plan for care after delivery, if needed

the region’s first biofeedback program for helping kids with voiding dysfunction (problems filling or emptying the bladder). The program uses fun interactive games to help kids understand and manage this condition.